Pointe shoes
Pointe shoes are a special kind of shoes for ballet. These
shoes are like the basic need of ballet dancers, since they need them for
pointe work (i.e., ballet position in which the body is balanced on the extreme
tips of the toes). Sometimes these shoes are called “toe shoes”. Before the
French Revolution women’s ballet shoes were heeled. After the revolution they
became non-heeled and were tied with ribbons to secure the feet.
They are normally worn by female dancers, though male dancers may wear them for unorthodox roles such as the ugly stepsisters in Cinderella, Bottom in A Midsummer Night's Dream, or men performing as women in dance companies such as Les Ballets Trockadero and Grandiva. They are manufactured in a variety of colors, most commonly in shades of light pink.
Moccasins
The moccasin is a soft and flexible shoe originally worn by
North American Indians. Different tribes had different types of moccasins. The
soft soles don’t only offer protection for the feet, but also the comforting
for the wearers to feel the ground.
A moccasin is a slipper, made of deerskin or other soft leather, consisting of a sole and sides made of one piece of leather, stitched together at the top, and sometimes with a vamp (additional panel of leather). Though sometimes worn inside, it is chiefly intended for outdoor use, as in exploring wildernesses and running. The sole is soft and flexible and the upper part often is adorned with embroidery or beading. Etymologically, the moccasin derives from the Algonquian language Powhatan word makasin (cognate to Massachusett mohkisson / mokussin, Ojibwa makizin, Mi'kmaq mksɨn), and from the Proto-Algonquian word *maxkeseni (shoe).
Clown shoes
What makes a clown funny? Well, of course his slapstick
actions and attire. One trademark of a clown is his shoes. What’s so special
about them? Well, standard clown shoes are usually three times the size of the
clown’s regular shoe size.
Bakiak
These are another pair of wooden sandals. In some parts of
Indonesia, people like to wear this footwear even though it’s not comfortable
due to its sturdiness. Surprisingly, In the Philippines, bakiak is the name of
the Philippines’ national sandals. Of course the bakiak that they have are
fancier than ours.
Dutch clogs/Klompen
A clog is a type of footwear made in part or completely from wood. Clogs are used worldwide and although the form may vary by culture, within a culture the form often remained unchanged for centuries.
The Dutch clog was traditionally a work shoe made of a
single block of wood initially worn during the Industrial Revolution between
1815-1914. Because of the rigidity of the material, a pair of socks was needed
whenever people wanted to wear klompen. Surely they could also be worn barefoot
with he help of some thick straw padding. Traditional clogs were often worn in heavy labor. Today they remain in use as protective clothing inagriculture and in some factories and mines. Clogs are also used in several different styles of dance. When worn for dancing an important feature is the sound of the clog against the floor. This is one of the fundamental roots of tap, but with the tap shoes the taps are free to click against each other and produce different sound to clogs.
Havaianas
When you think about something fashionable that’s really
Brazilian, you should think about the Havaianas, a Brazilian flip flop brand
exported internationally. The name Havaianas is a Portuguese word for
Hawaiians. The simple and functional design inspired by Japanese rice straw
sandals and the use of good material that makes a pair of Havaianas lasts
longer than the usual flip flop have won people’s hearts and resulted in about
105 million pairs of Havaianas produced yearly.
Espadrilles
Espadrilles, or alpargatos, as they are called in their country
of origin Spain, have been made in Catalonia since the 14th century
as peasant footwear. They are made of cotton fabric or canvas with soles made
of rope or rubber material that’s molded to look like rope. The soles may be
flat, platform, or wedge-shaped. Once peasant footwear, espadrilles have become
more popular, especially In Spain and the Philippines where many people wear
them during summer.
Espadrilles are normally casual flat, but sometimes high heeled shoes originating from the Pyrenees. They usually have a canvas or cotton fabric upper and a flexible sole made of rope or rubber material moulded to look like rope. The jute rope sole is the defining characteristic of an espadrille, the uppers vary widely in style. In French Canada, however, espadrille is the usual term for running shoes or sneakers.
Once peasant footwear, espadrilles have grown in popularity, especially in Catalonia and the Basque Country, where many men and women wear them during the spring and summer months. Designer espadrilles are now widely available. They are usually manufactured in Bangladesh and Spain. Modern espadrilles are predominantly for women, though some men's shoes are made in this style. As of 2012, they are a trend in Mexico.
The soles of espadrilles may be flat, platform or wedge shaped, and can be made of natural fiber or synthetic fiber rope, or flexible synthetic materials cast to resemble rope. Uppers may be made from nearly any substance, and may have open or closed toes, open or closed backs, and can be slip-on or tied to the ankle with laces. Thousands of varieties of espadrilles can be found, from inexpensive bargain brands to high priced designer brands.
Getas
Getas are a pair of Japanese wooden sandals usually worn
with a kimono. Getas were not made or worn for fashion, but simply for a
practical reason: to prevent the kimono from getting mud-splattered. Geta (木屐/下駄) are a form of traditional Japanese footwear that resemble both clogs and flip-flops. They are a kind of sandal with an elevated wooden base held onto the foot with a fabric thong to keep the foot well above the ground. They are worn with traditional Japanese clothing such as kimono or yukata, but (in Japan) also with Western clothing during the summer months. Sometimes geta are worn in rain or snow to keep the feet dry, due to their extra height and impermeability compared to other footwear such as zōri.
Boots
A boot is a type of footwear and a specific type of shoe. Most boots mainly cover the foot and the ankle and extend up the leg, sometimes as far as the knee or even the hip. Most boots have a heel that is clearly distinguishable from the rest of the sole, even if the two are made of one piece. Traditionally made of leather or rubber, modern boots are made from a variety of materials. Boots are worn both for their functionality – protecting the foot and leg from water, snow, mud or hazards or providing additional ankle support for strenuous activities – and for reasons of style and fashion. High-top athletic shoes are generally not considered boots, even though they do cover the ankle, primarily due to the absence of a distinct heel.
Slip-on Shoes
Slip-ons are typically low, lace-less shoes. The style most commonly seen, known as a loafer or slippers in American culture, has a moccasin construction. First appearing in the mid-1930s from Norway, Aurlandskoen (Aurland Shoe), they began as casual shoes, but have increased in popularity to the point of being worn in America with city lounge suits. They are worn in many situations in a wide variety of colours and designs, often featuring tassels on the front, or metal decorations (the 'Gucci' loafer).
On college campuses, loafers are worn casually. Loafers are comfortable shoes and can be worn "fashionably" by both men and women, with jeans, shorts, pants, and dresses. They come in a variety of colors, styles, and brands. Loafers are very comfortable and do not harm the feet.
Oxford Shoes
An Oxford is a style of laced shoe characterized by shoelace eyelet tabs that are stitched underneath the vamp, a construction method that is also sometimes referred to as "closed lacing". Oxfords first appeared in Scotland and Ireland, where they are occasionally called Balmorals after the Queen's castle in Scotland, Balmoral.
Oxfords are traditionally constructed of leather and were historically plain, formal shoes but are now available in a range of styles and materials that complement both casual and formal forms of dress. It is derived from the Oxonian, a half-boot with side slits that gained popularity at Oxford University in 1800. The side slit evolved into a side lace that eventually moved to the instep, as students rebelled against knee-high and ankle-high boots. The toe cap can either be lined with two narrow rows of stitching, perforated holes along the end cap stitching (quarter-brogue), perforated holes along the end cap stitching and on the toe cap (semi-brogue), or a semi-brogue with the classical wingtip design (full-brogue).
